Dennis Harding, RLACEI Director
If there is any silver lining in the dark cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has to be the implementation of social distancing: What a blessing it has been to those curmudgeonly types who border on being anti-social.
Now, I don’t think I’m completely an anti-social type …more in the category of a loner. If unavoidable I can engage almost anyone in a social gathering. Heck, I can be downright charming at times, however, you can bet I won’t go looking for those opportunities!
The beauty of the social distancing edict has given those of us who prefer to be loners a reprieve from those who prattle on and on about nothing of import. No more do I have to hear someone’s life story in the grocery line. I now have a built-in excuse to stay far enough away from the parade of daily walkers on my street to avoid having to be unwillingly dragged into trite conversations. Too much of such contact can lead to unwanted familiarity that, who knows, could lead to unwanted home visits that would disrupt my peaceful existence. Bah humbug!
The best news is that even when the social distancing requirements are rescinded, the government has made so many people frightened of being too close to others that they will still keep their distance. This will be devastating to those people who will have an unfulfilled need to engage perfect strangers in unwanted conversation. But personally, I welcome being uninformed about others’ personal lives. I naively believe that should remain private.
